Everyone was silent. I looked down, my whole body was covered in fire but I wasn’t burning. I was breathing heavily, I started to panic as the fire started spreading from me onto the ground. “Rebecca, stop panicking, you can control it.” I heard Ivan yelling from behind me but it sounded like his voice was in a tunnel. “Your mind controls the fire, quiet your mind. John is safe, you are safe.” I started to use all that Ivan had taught me about quieting my mind and controlling my emotions. I couldn’t get my heart to slow down though. What had I just done? “Lilly,” I croaked out. “Is she?” “She’s alive, focus on your breathing,” Ivan reassured me calmly. I relaxed slightly in knowing I hadn’t accidentally killed her. I watched the fire retreat from the ground, from my body until I held two balls of fire in my hands. “Ivan?” I couldn't stop my voice from shaking. “You don’t need your fire. Everyone is safe. Just release it.” In my mind, I told the fire I didn’t need it and it final

John POV Ring "Hello?" "Alpha, I have the Elders office on line one." "Thanks, Jenna, did they say what they wanted?" I was always nervous when the elders called. I ran my pack as best I could but still felt like I came up short a lot of the time and I was just waiting to be told so. "Sorry, no. They just asked for you." "Ok thanks." I picked up line one. "Hello, Alpha John speaking." "Good afternoon Alpha John. This is Clarence how are you?" I relaxed a little. Clarence was a great elder. Firm but fair. "You tell me?" He laughed dryly. "I have good news and bad news. The good news is that Lilly was found. She sought shelter with her parents in New Mexico." "And the bad news?" "She's seeking a trial, which in and of itself isn't bad. But you, Luna Rebecca, and all witnesses must be in attendance. Ivan included." My blood turned cold. "Then I motion to change locations. You know that pack is extreme when it comes to vampires, Ivan won't be safe.” I wasn't going to bring I

John POV I walked back into our room to see Bex passed out on the bed. She was so freaking adorable. Sitting beside her on the bed I used her makeup wipes to clean her face. Took off her jewelry and hung it up. The dress was beautiful, but it couldn't have been comfortable to sleep in. She was already going to feel terrible when she woke up. She should at least be comfy. I found a silk nighty to change her into and tucked her in. Placing water, a bottle of painkillers, and a garbage can at her bedside. Once satisfied she was taken care of, I quickly changed and hopped into bed, pulling her close. “Soon you’ll be my wife” I whispered into her ear. She was already dead to the world. Soon I would be too. ** One more day until we left. Zander was out fussing over his plane again. It had made the trip up with no problem, I wasn't sure why he was so worried, but I was thankful he cared and was being abundantly cautious. The stress was finally getting to me. I was positive Lilly would

Ruthie POV Ding. I looked at my phone seeing Ivan's name pop up on the screen. “I will be walking into our bedroom in 5 minutes. And here’s what I will see: You will be waiting for me on your knees, completely naked, eyes down, exactly three steps in from the door. Your hair will be pulled up in a ponytail. I want you to be holding out the remote control for a vibrator of your choice. Get it on and in you. If none are charged, you will be punished. All our new toys will be neatly spread out on the bed, organized from smallest to largest. You will not make one sound until I say you can.” Five minutes?! Was he insane? “There will be one punishment for each thing not completed. Do you understand?” “Yes sir.” “Five minutes. Go.” I ripped off my clothes and threw them into the laundry basket. Our box of supplies was in the closet and I dragged it out, dumping it on the bed. Smallest to largest, I chanted to myself trying to make it as neat as I could, every once and a while nervou

Rebecca Pov My heart was pounding as we walked into the courtroom. At first, I thought it was because of the rush we were in but when I saw Lilly I felt like I was going to throw up. I knew we were in the right, but still going through all this only for her to be free? That would really suck. At the same time, I was just as nervous about winning. I had spent my whole life around death, and I didn’t wish it on my worst enemy, who right now happened to be Lilly. Lilly had already made her case by the time we walked in, and was sitting in the front looking smug in a yellow sundress with a matching hair ribbon pushing her perfectly curled hair off her face. Everyone else from the shadow mountain pack had already said their peace as well. The four of us were last to testify. I took the stand first, nervously recounting everything that had happened that day. It all went by so fast, before I knew it I was back on the wood bench and Ruthie was replacing me on the stand. "Ruthie, would you